Composition - Design Post 5

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Introduction

    Graphic Designers create works of art to grab someone's attention, for example: posters. These works also should be accessible so that viewers are able to follow along with the flow of the work and this helps when the work of art is a magazine. This is what composition is responsible for. 


Fundamentals of Composition


    “Composition is the form, the whole spatial property, and structure resulting from the arrangement of graphic elements – type and images – in relation to one another and to the format, created to visually communicate” (Landa, 2022).

    Two main goals of composition are creating visual interest and clear communication. These contribute to the overall visual appeal.

During the compositional process, you are rearranging and revising as you continue to create.

Margins

    Margins are the spaces on the top, right, bottom, and left of any page. Visually, they act as frames surrounding the content.

The Formats Role In Composition

    Pay attention to the Midline. You can use this as a point of reference when designing.

Closed VS. Open Compositions

    If the elements of the composition sit within the edges and the focus of the magazine is in a tight area, this is considered a closed composition.

    If the elements oppose the edges and direct our eyes beyond the boundaries, then it is an open composition. 

Symmetrical VS. Asymmetrical

    Symmetrical Composition is the placement of forms on both sides of the midline.

    “Asymmetrical Composition is arranging forms to counterbalance each other’s visual weight without mirroring opposite visual weight and positioning” (Landa, 2022).

Illusion Of Spatial Depth

Foreground, Middle Ground, Background


    The foreground appears closest to the viewer. The middle ground is an area between the background and the foreground, and the background appears behind the foreground and the middle ground.

Tilted Plane/Imitating The Recession Of Space


    "Perspective is a schematic way of translating three-dimensional space onto a two-dimensional surface" (Landa, 2022).

Overlapping


    "When an opaque flat place or form is placed in front of another, that overlap creates the illusion of spatial depth" (Landa, 2022).

Layering And Transparency


    "Using transparency - making graphic elements transparent (see-through) and layering them or positioning a graphic element over or under another or between similar elements - can create the illusion of ambiguous spatial relationships, which tends to appear as shallow space" (Landa, 2022).

Movement


    Ways to create movement are diagonal counterpoints, acute shifts in scale, extreme value contrasts, etc.

Contrast


    "Contrast is used to visual interest, differentiate graphic elements from one another, as well as to compare dissimilar elements"(Landa, 2023).
 
    For example: When mixing two typefaces, make sure they are not too similar. The whole point is for them to differ from each other. 

Grouping

    “Grouping is a fundamental Gestalt concept, proposing that when graphic elements appear similar – share characteristics, are arranged close together, are connected, or are enclosed in a common spatial area – people perceive them as belonging together” (Landa, 2022).

Ways to Differentiate focal points from other elements:

    Alignment

    Direction

    Shape

    Orientation

    Proximity

    Rhythm

    Scale

    Visual Weight

Compositional Process

Type-Driven, Image-Driven, and Type-Image Emblem:

Type-Driven: more emphasis is put on the type.

Image-Driven: more emphasis is put on the images.

Type/Image emblem: “an emblematic relationship between the type and the primary image” (Landa, 2022).

Function Of An Entry Point

The entry point of an image can be the focal point, or it can be a path created by white space. 

Transitions 

    Transitions are important because they help one graphic element flow to the next throughout the composition.

Continuity

Continuity is one element leading your eyes to the next element.

Conclusion

    Composition is the reason that viewers purchase products. Elements are arranged in such a way that they cannot resist. The contrast, typography, lines of symmetry, perspective, layering, transparency, overlapping, movement, foreground, background, and middle ground all need to speak boldly to the viewer. When this happens, there is a healthy balance of understanding that viewers obtain from reading and observing the art. Without composition, graphic design would be boring and dull.


 

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